Dinner Speech by President of the Republic Tarja Halonen on the occasion of a state visit by President Arnold Rüütel and Mrs Ingrid Rüütel of Estonia in Helsinki on 20 November 2001

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President Rüütel, Mrs Rüütel, it is a great pleasure and honour for me to welcome you to Finland on this state visit. My husband and I have warm memories of our cordial reception during my state visit to Estonia last year. That visit gave me another chance to deepen my understanding of your nation, Finland's own special neighbour. I hope that you will feel the same kind of warmth and friendship here with us.

The close interaction between our two nations during the past ten years is aptly reflected by the fact that our guests are old acquaintances. Personal relations between neighbouring countries are important. The ties between our nations stretch far back in time. This is a source of constant inspiration on both sides of the Gulf of Finland - as your life's work shows, Mrs Rüütel.

Mr President, esteemed colleague, you played a major role in the restoration of Estonia's independence as well as the long struggle leading to it. You took an active part in reviving relations between our nations. We admire the calm patience and determination which the people of Estonia demonstrated ten years ago in regaining your independence.

At that time the people of Estonia built a healthy foundation on which they can push forward proudly. Estonia's development during the past ten years deserves our undivided admiration. The pace of change has been fierce in many spheres of life. In building a nation, however, challenges never end and there is still pressure for reform. This has been our experience in Finland as well. But I know that you, Mr President, are prepared to work hard for the balanced development of your nation's welfare.

One of the cornerstones of relations between Finland and Estonia is our shared linguistic and cultural heritage. Together we must preserve this heritage as part of the Finno-Ugric language family. Today we can note with pleasure that our relations are broader in content than ever before. Cooperation extends to every sphere, and ties between citizens and organizations are close and abundant. Day-to-day contacts and tourism have become increasingly important in human as well as economic terms.

Mr President, we are happy that you chose Finland for your first state visit. This visit is proof of how much our nations value each other and want to develop ever closer relations. Here I would like to recall a verse from a very beautiful song which is also dear to Finns - with minor changes: Ei sellist küll maailmas kusagil leidu kui Soome ja Eesti ühine töö.

Estonia is Finland's seventh biggest trading partner while Finland is number one for Estonia. This year our imports from Estonia will exceed exports to that country. Finland is also the second largest source of investment in Estonia, after Sweden. Our economic relations cover a broad range and form a good basis for other interaction.

The European Union has already added a promising new dimension to our neighbourly relations. We look forward to the day when together as members of the European Union we can build our continent as a region of peace, security and cooperation.

Finland and Estonia are working together to protect the Baltic and the environment as a whole. A healthy Baltic is a good home for all those living on its shores. Our common goal is prosperity and stability in the Baltic region.

Finland supports Estonia's efforts to strengthen its position in the European family of nations. We believe it is important for this to take place according to Estonia's own wishes. Small nations are a resource in the international order, provided they are given a proper chance to show who they are and what they can do. We are proud of our cooperation with Estonia in the past ten years to advance international stability and shared values in European integration, the Council of Europe and the United Nations.

This autumn the international community has faced unprecedented threats. Within the scope of their resources, Finland and Estonia individually and together with other nations have taken steps to make sure that terrorism will not gain the upper hand over international stability and security.

I would like to assure you, Mr President, that Finland will continue to nurture relations with Estonia wholeheartedly and will seek to work in partnership with Estonia in dealing with international issues and challenges. Allow me to propose this toast to you and to Mrs Rüütel and to the success of the entire nation of Estonia.